Stan & Ollie

2019
PG
1h 38m
Biography, Comedy, Drama, Family, History

Laurel and Hardy, the world's most famous comedy duo, attempt to reignite their film careers as they embark on what becomes their swan song: a grueling theatre tour of post-war Britain.

Release Date

Dec 28, 2018 | Theatrical Wide (754 locations)

Watch Trailer

Box Office

Results

Opening Weekend US & Canada:
$87,356
Total US & Canada:
$5,470,235
Total International
$18,950,688
Total Worldwide:
$24,420,923

Director & Top Cast

Jon S. Baird
Director

Gallery

Technical Specifications

Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio: 2.35 : 1

Other Details

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Summaries

Plot Summary

Laurel & Hardy, the world’s favourite comedy double act, set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. Diminished by age and with their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy now behind them, they face an uncertain future. As they set out, crisscrossing the country, attendances are disappointingly low. But they’ve always been able to make each other laugh and as the charm and beauty of their performances shines through their audiences laugh too, and they re-connect with legions of adoring fans, old and new.The tour becomes a hit, but Laurel & Hardy can’t quite shake the spectre of Stan and Ollies past; and long buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health, start to threaten their precious partnership. A portrait of the most tender and poignant of creative marriages begins to unfold as the duo, aware that they may be approaching their swan song, try to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.

Storyline

The true story of Hollywood’s greatest comedy double-act, Laurel and Hardy, is brought to the big screen for the first time. Starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as the inimitable movie icons, ‘Stan and Ollie’ is the heartwarming story of what would become the pair’s triumphant farewell tour. With their golden era long behind them, the pair embark on a variety hall tour of Britain and Ireland. Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, and with the support of their wives Lucille (Shirley Henderson) and Ida (Nina Arianda)–a formidable double act in their own right–the pair’s love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public. With their golden era long behind them, Laurel and Hardy embark on a variety hall tour of Britain. Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, the pair’s love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public. — Anonymous Both Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel and John C Reilly as Oliver Hardy give performances that bring back to life these two masters of Comedy. Coogan, not known as a serious actor, turns out a truly inspiring performance as Stan Laurel, portraying Stan as the more forceful member of the partnership and John C Reilly as Ollie, who is quite submissive, this is a complete reversal of the film portrayals of the duo, where Ollie is a ‘know it all’ and Stan is a dim wit. The film is a fictional story based on their 1953/1954 UK tour and what would ultimately be their last tour together, mainly due to Ollie’s deteriorating health. The recreation of famous scenes from the original Hal Roach, Laurel and Hardy films, is remarkably accurate and a joy to watch. The 1953/53 Tour was very demanding on the duo and at times it seems that they were actually starting to dislike each other and that the tour would eventually fold and they would return to the US However things progressed from originally performing their show to half empty provincial theatres to performing at sold out large City theatres. They film recreates the duo performing scenes on stage from Laurel and Hardy’s films, singing and dancing and of course slapstick. A good tribute of the biggest comedic film stars of the early years of talking pictures by two fine actors of the modern age. — bc1968